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Recession, Depression and Psychotherapy

Job Threats can Lead to Mental Health Difficulties and the Need for Psychotherapy

According to a report by academics from Roehampton University and the charity Elizabeth Finn Care, the number of people suffering anxiety, depression and stress because of redundancies, job insecurity and pay cuts is rapidly increasing due to the recession.

The study found that reports of depression jumped by between four and five-fold as fears regarding job security increase. Among people who have lost their jobs in the last year, 71% have suffered symptoms of depression, 55% stress and 52% experienced symptoms of anxiety.

Those ranked as of middle socio-economic status were more likely to experience depression (59.8%) than those from lower (44.9%) or higher groups (46.7%). Those surveyed between the ages of 18-30 were more likely to suffer depression than any other age group.

Principal lecturer at Roehampton University, Dr Joerg Huber said, “What makes our findings worrying is the high percentage of people reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. This applies even more to those who have lost their job or experienced a major loss of income.”

He goes on the say that, left untreated, depression could turn into “a vicious cycle of related disability and an inability to work”.

A separate report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the London School of Economics and the NHS Confederation’s mental health network found that demand for psychotherapy and counselling had increased because of rising levels of debt, home repossessions, unemployment and threat of redundancy.

Prof. Steve Field, chairman of The Royal College of General Practitioners has reported that some patients present to their GP’s with backache or tiredness as a way of discussing the fact that they are actually depressed or anxious.

At The Cavendish Psychotherapy Practice on Harley Street in London, you can talk about your concerns confidentially with a professional psychotherapist in order to work through your anxiety and find a better way to understand and manage it.